Authorities find victim in Keuka Lake drowning

KEUKA LAKE—Law enforcement and emergency personnel responded to a possible drowning, Friday evening, April 27. According to the Hammondsport fire department, the call came in around 6:30 p.m. The agency said Wayne Fire Department, Pulteney Fire Department, Steuben County Sheriff’s Dive Team, and the New York State Police Dive Team were called for support. Hammondsport Marine 21 was on scene within minutes and set up at the dock to get ready for the dive and recovery operations, while the smaller boats from Wayne used an underwater camera to try and locate the victim. State Trooper Mark O’Donnell said the scuba teams searched for about an hour and the subject was located. He added the person, Randy Rhodes, 55, Boonville, Indiana, had been in the water for some time. O’Donnell explained Rhodes had been repairing an underwater dock and water line, using his own scuba gear. Ray Dell, Steuben County undersheriff, said a volunteer from the sheriff’s dive team found Rhodes near 10509 East Lake Rd. He added the ambulance took the victim to Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead. Dell explained the water temperature where Rhodes was found was 45 degrees. The Hammondsport fire department added he was located about 60 feet from shore in approximately 13 feet deep water. Dell said the state police will be performing an autopsy and have Rhodes’ scuba gear from the incident.